Assouf
Tinariwen Lyrics

The song "Assouf" by Tinariwen delves into the theme of unquenchable longing and yearning. The first verse starts with the question, "What can I do with this eternal longing?" The word "assouf" in Tamasheq language (a language of the Tuareg people) means "nostalgia" or "yearning" and is a recurring motif in the song. The singer wonders how to ease the burning feeling in their heart.

The second verse talks about the singer's friends, who cannot understand the depth of the singer's pain. The heart is too consumed by the longing to find relief easily. The third verse describes the world as sleeping, yet the singer is unable to sleep due to their aching heart, and they count the stars in the sky. The final line of the song repeats the word "assouf" as the singer finds solace in the very feeling that causes them pain.

The song's lyrics reflect the nomadic lifestyle of the Tuareg people, who often must leave their homes and families behind in search of work or better living conditions. This sense of longing for home and loved ones is an essential aspect of the Tuareg culture. The song also reflects the political struggles of the Tuareg community, who have been historically marginalized and discriminated against in many countries, including Mali, where Tinariwen hails from.